It is a tall herbaceous perennial plant, with finely divided, feathery leaves with small white flowers produced in large umbels. Botanical name and family: Myrrhis odorata is a member of the Apiaceae—parsley family. September 25, 2014 January 6, 2018 Adrian White 4 Comments. At the start of its growth, it raises its lovely little head in mid-March. Cicely Herb Uses. People take sweet cicely as a tea or tonic for asthma and other breathing problems, cough, digestion problems, chest and throat complaints, and urinary tract disorders. It is one of two accepted species in the genus Myrrhis. Be careful not to over-mix the batter. Sweet cicely -- also called British myrrh -- is a very aromatic herb that’s native to Great Britain. Myrrhis odorata Sweet Cicely is a special plant. The plant grows 3 feet tall and wide with fernlike foliage. This Sweet Cicely is a Northern American Native. All of the cicely plant is edible, the seeds, stalks, and leaves. Sweet cicely is an herb. This weeks post has come to an end, and thanks for taking the time to read it. And the stem (also edible) is hollow, round with grooves and displays soft, downy hairs. Endangered. It has aromatic leaves that taste as if they've been sprinkled with sugar. I use this schnapps in an atomiser to spray a hint of anise onto cocktails. Sweet cicely can be incorporated into both sweet and savory dishes as a more flavorful version of common cicely. It is also used as a “ blood purifier.” Medicinal use of Sweet Cicely: The whole plant, including the seed, is aromatic, carminative, expectorant and stomachic. The lacy leaves of the sweet cicely make it a popular perennial in garden beds. Coat your vegetables, fish or meat and deep fry in hot oil until golden and crisp. The sweet aromatics of sweet cicely transfer readily into liquids. The old herbalists describe the plant as 'so harmless you cannot use it amiss.' Unusually shade tolerant for an herb. So, what can I tell you about sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata)? Join now. The root of sweet cicely can be boiled and eaten as you would a root vegetable, or steamed. North America; Alaska: FACU Arid West: FACU Great Plains: FACU Midwest: FACU Northcentral & Northeast: FACU Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast: FACU Related Links. Myrrhis odorata, with common names cicely (/ ˈ s ɪ s əl i /), sweet cicely, myrrh, garden myrrh, and sweet chervil, is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the celery family Apiaceae.It is one of two accepted species in the genus Myrrhis. It is used to make medicine. It is a dendrite annual plant, depending on environment that grows to two meters tall. Osmorhiza longistylis, commonly known as sweet cicely, sweet anise, aniseroot or sweet chervil, is a perennial herb of the carrot family that typically grows on branched stems to 1-3’ tall.It is native to rich, moist woods, wooded slopes, wooded ravines and valleys from Nova Scotia to Ontario south to Colorado, Kansas, Tennessee and Alabama. A medicinal tea made from the root is used for a digestive aid and gentle stimulant for weak stomachs. Cheers! For insomnia, that a few seeds in a glass of hot milk before bedtime. The cicely herb provides a sweet aroma and the anise promotes further natural sweetness in baked dishes. Seed loses viability quickly. I've seen this reach over 6' tall. It is used to make medicine. It is used to make medicine. And, once again, she’s working hard to bring us her April showers! Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Early uses for sweet cicely include as a herb in salads as well as boiled. It is a dendrite annual plant, depending on environment that grows to two meters tall. Licorice of the Woods – Sweet Cicely or Sweetroot in Herbalism. In a separate bowl, gently beat 1 egg until the yolk and egg whites are just barely mixed. Displaying large leaves you can eat your dinner off! As the plant grows it forms fibres, especially on the flower stem, which on older plants needs to be peeled away of using in a stewed fruit dish or … However, to identify sweet cicely, you merely need to pick a leaf, crush it between your fingers and inhale the heady aroma of anise. The fruits of this plant have barbs on the end allowing them to stick to clothing, fur, or feathers. Cooking ( and eating ) the young roots is said to aid “those without courage”. Sweet cicely can be used in the kitchen as a sweetener and to cut down the acidity of fruit. It has widely naturalized in Europe over time. It is used to make medicine. A few sprigs of Sweet Cicely added to rhubarb being stewed reduces the tartness of the rhubarb, and therefore the amount of sugar required. Add to a pan and heat to 65˚C. The young leaves are a very vivid lime green in colour (see below) and are the juiciest and most tender. It’s large leaves are used in salads and to make medicinal extracts and sweet liquors. The seeds can be used in cakes and candy. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998. Seeds are sometimes substituted for caraway; roots may be peeled, boiled, and eaten as a vegetable. This herb is non-toxic but is similar in appearance to some poisonous varieties of hemlock plants. It is used to make medicine. Its anise flavor brings an extra dimension to many dishes—especially when the plant is used raw as a garnish. The Outer Hebrides – Our Island Adventures, Wild Garlic, Living Life & New Beginnings, Elderflower Cordial Recipe | In 5 Easy Steps, 15 Reasons To Love Nettles ¦ Nettle Beer Recipe, Claytonia Perfoliata ¦ Winter Purslane ¦ Miner’s Lettuce, Blackberries – Recipes | Remedies | Folklore, Edible Wild Plants – My Top 3 Foraging Tips, Beginners Guide to Identifying Conifers – In 3 Easy Steps, Foraging Fun: Why You Need To Get Involved. The flowers went in whole and the leaves and stems were chopped up. Leaves should be treated similarly to spinach, used raw or lightly cooked in dishes such as soups, salads, omelets, syrup, tea, jams, stewed fruits, and baking. With this in mind, you must acquaint yourself with a very toxic member of this family, the “Giant Hogweed”. So, there we have it! See Additional Information. Common uses of sweet cicely. Consequently, if this fragrance is absent, then leave the plant alone and move on. Whenever I’m out on my daily walk with Caber, I’m always astonished by the new growth that appears each day. A weak herb infusion of Sweet Cicely was used to bath sore eyes. I use this schnapps in an atomiser to spray a hint of anise onto cocktails. The unripe, green seeds are good whole in fruit salads. “Myrrhis Odorata” or “Sweet Cicely” a congenital to the British Isles. It’s also said to aid the flow of milk in animals. Sweet cicely is an herb. Can be made into a salve to use for scabies or lice. It would appear that April has finally woken from her annual slumber. Therapeutic and Traditional Uses of Cicely Cicely as a Medicinal Plant. My blog posts focus on foraging, recipes, crafting and my travels with my cheeky four-legged sidekick, Caber. Well, let’s start with the fact that it’s a herb of the carrot family (Apiaceae). Cicely is rarely used in modern herbal medicine but has been valued as a medicinal herb in... Cicely as Spice and Food. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 7 through 1. However, I’m not so surprised when I invariably arrive home soaking wet! The leaves are best used when fresh since they tend to lose a lot of their flavor when dried. I tried a few – sweet and delicious, but then I like aniseed! I've had to buy plants to get it started, as the seed I've purchased failed. I then put a handful of pinhead oatmeal in a mixing bowl with a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of ground hogweed seed and a knob of butter, and knead the butter in to make a very dry mix. First of all, sweet cicely was introduced to the UK by the Romans. Sweet Cicely is very attractive to bees; in the north of England it is said that the seeds are used to polish and scent oak floors and furniture. Sweet cicely used to be quite widely cultivated as a food plant but is now only occasionally grown in the herb garden. Sweet Cicely Care – Tips On Growing Sweet Cicely Herbs. Sweet cicely tea has long been used as a mild laxative. How to grow it. The leaves can be cooked like spinach, added to soups, omelettes and custards or used fresh in salads. Makes the perfect finger food. The fruits of this plant have barbs on the end allowing them to stick to clothing, fur, or feathers. It can be used in herb vinegars as well. Cicely Herb Uses. Myrrhis odorata, with common names cicely (/ ˈ s ɪ s əl i /), sweet cicely, myrrh, garden myrrh, and sweet chervil, is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the celery family Apiaceae. British Myrrh, Cerfeuil Anisé, Cerfeuil d'Espagne, Cerfeuil Musqué, Cerfeuil Odorant, Myrrhe Odorante, Myrrhis odorata, Perifollo Oloroso, Roman Plant, Shepherd's Needle, Sweet Bracken, Sweet Chervil, Sweet-Cus, Sweet-Fern, Sweet-Humlock, Sweets, The Roman Plant. Sweet cicely is an herb. “Myrrhis Odorata” or “Sweet Cicely” a congenital to the British Isles. I’m Susan, a Scotland based blogger, living in the heart of the East Lothian countryside. https://growchiswick.org/recipes/the-many-virtues-of-sweet-cicely Woolly Sweet-Cicely, Clayton's sweetroot: Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae: USDA hardiness: 5-9: Known Hazards: None known: Habitats: Woods and wooded slopes[43]. Prepare ice cold water by combining water and ice cubes in a small bowl. And last, but not least, you’ll find it growing in moist, grassy areas. Learn how your comment data is processed. To freshen your breath, simply chew the leaves. It is used to make medicine. (Tracker app for Hogweed). Sweet cicely seeds require a period of cold and moisture to germinate. Sweet cicely leaves are anise flavoured and a major ingredient in Aquavit and Chartreuse liquors. eMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The seedpods taste of aniseed and are reputed to be good for stomachs. Sweet cicely is an herb. The old herbalists describe the plant as 'so harmless you cannot use it amiss.' But, in order to help you to identify this noxious plant, I’ve included a free identification guide in this post. can be taken as a tea or tonic for asthma and other Add the sweet cicely, remove from the heat and allow to infuse for 1 hour 1000ml of full-fat milk; 100g of cream; 100g of sweet cicely; 7 After 1 hour, whisk the eggs with the sugar until creamy and pale in colour. Sweet cicely has a flavor that is similar to anise, but lighter. Bring the cream mixture back to the boil, then pass through a fine sieve onto the eggs, whisking to combine. People take sweet cicely as a tea or tonic for asthma and other breathing problems, cough, digestion problems, chest and throat complaints, and urinary tract disorders. It is not the European Sweet Cicely, Myrrhis Odorata or the Anise Plant Pimpinella anisum. It is also used as a “blood purifier.” Sweet cicely is sometimes applied directly to the skin for gout. It’s literally a lot similar to Cow Parsley or Queen Anne’s Lace and is often confused with it, but as Culpeper wrote “It is so harmless you cannot use it amiss.. “A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew. breathing problems. But I’m also going to make a batch without adding the chopped sweet cicely. The word Myrrhis found it’s origins in the Greek word, Myron, meaning “perfume”. And odorata is rooted in the Latin word, odorus, meaning a “fragrant odour”. A good bee plant [4]. Drinks uses of sweet cicely. Sweet Cicely and Rhubarb Crumble Recipe. Try steeping some (stems, leaves, flowers, seeds – the lot) in vodka for a few weeks to make a great anise schnapps. Sweet cicely oil helps relieve cramping, and spasms and is good as a stomach tonic. Osmorhiza longistylis: The root is used much like anise. And it can grow to around 2-3 feet in height, as well as width. Although sweet cicely has been widely cultivated in past years and used to treat ... How to Grow Sweet Cicely. Like its name suggests, this herb is relatively sweet and tastes similar to licorice or anise. Cicely Herb Uses. The cicely herb provides a sweet aroma and the anise promotes further natural sweetness in baked dishes. Subsequently, the scientific name of this plant (Myrrhis odorata) found it’s origins in Latin and Greek. ©2018 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved. It is also used as a “blood purifier.” Sweet cicely is an herb. Sweet cicely is an herb. mountain sweet-cicely. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. And last, but not least, the roots produce a deep yellow dye. Add the sifted flour and leaves into the bowl with the egg and water mixture and lightly combine the flour. It is also used as a “blood purifier.” Sweet cicely is sometimes applied directly to the skin for gout. Sweet Cicely Herb Uses. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using. People take sweet cicely as a tea or tonic for asthma and other breathing problems, cough, digestion problems, chest and throat complaints, and urinary tract disorders. Another cheeky wee recipe you can try is Sweet Cicely Schnapps. The cicely herb provides a sweet aroma and the anise promotes further natural sweetness in baked dishes. Sweet Cicely used to be grown in kitchen gardens near the door. Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue… An April day in the morning. It is used to make medicine. This herb is most commonly used in French cuisine and sometimes included among the fines herbes. The fresh and dried leaves of the herb are used for cooking both desserts and main dishes. Or why not dip a sweet cicely leaf or 2 into the batter and try its sweet taste. The fresh and dried leaves of the herb are used for cooking both desserts and main dishes. The use of herbal sweet cicely remedy does not usually produce any side effects in the person using it, and till date no known health hazards significant or otherwise are associated with the use of herbal sweet cicely remedies. A delicate-looking herb with dark-green, narrow leaves, which can be used fresh or dried. Sweet Cicely, Myrrhis odorata is a plant native to central Europe. It is a hardy perennial that does best in rich moist soil, preferably in a cool and shady location. Our guide told us that all parts of the plant are edible and have many uses. Myrrhis odorata, commonly known as sweet cicely, sweet chervil or myrrh, is an herbaceous perennial that is native to grassy banks and woodland areas of central Europe. At the same time, the numbers of clinical research conducted on the safety aspects of this herb have been few and far between. The plant grows 3 feet tall and wide with fernlike foliage. The herb can be used in the fresh form or dried and added to stews or soups. People take sweet cicely as a tea or tonic for asthma and other breathing problems, cough, digestion problems, chest and throat complaints, and urinary tract disorders.It is also used as a “blood purifier.” Therefore, it’s an ideal plant to get to know if you’re new to foraging. In Germany they are still very generally used in cookery. Sweet cicely definition, any of several plants, as a European plant, Myrrhis odorata, of the parsley family, used as a potherb, or certain related North American plants of the genus Osmorhiza. Sweet cicely is sometimes applied directly to the skin for gout. All parts of sweet cicely plants are edible. The flavour is sweet and aniseed like. Wetland Status. It is used to make medicine. Tolerant if not adoring of the shadier nooks in our gardens, this beautiful plant comes up reliably early in the year with a plume of foliage quite like ferns. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Start from purchased plants, if possible. Tarragon. It is useful in the treatment of coughs and flatulence, and also as a gentle stimulant for the stomach. Because of its sweetness, sweet cicely is a good additive to improve the flavor of other medicines. (Use chopsticks to mix the batter). Is useful as an expectorant for coughs. The key to sweet cicely is the grey patches on the leaves and the fact that the leaves, when crushed, smell of aniseed. All parts of sweet cicely are edible and impart a slight anise flavor to recipes. Share This **Disclaimer** The information in this article on sweet cicely is NOT intended to assess, diagnose, prescribe, or promise cure. Sweet cicely is not only used in the kitchen, it also has medicinal properties, increases the flow of milk in animals, and yields a yellow dye. Get to Know Sweet Cicely. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for sweet cicely. Uses . Range: Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to South Dakota, North Carolina, Illinois, Nebraska and Kansas. in length. However, it’s around now, the beginning of April, that you should start paying more attention to it. Sweet cicely has a flavor that is similar to anise, but lighter. For sweet cicely and rhubarb crumble I layer the chopped rhubarb and the chopped sweet cicely into a greased baking dish. Sweet cicely, Myrrhis odorata, is an old cottage garden perennial, traditionally grown near the kitchen door, where its prettily divided fern-like leaves were at hand for sweetening tart fruit.It’s an airy and graceful plant, yet is able to shrug off cold weather and starts into growth at the end of winter. In the plague years it was used to prevent infection as was angelica. can be taken as a tea or tonic for asthma and other breathing problems Displaying umbels of white flowers, which bloom from May – Aug. And contains vitamin A and C, as well as, calcium, potassium, iron and phosphorus. Its leaves are used as a herb, with a rather strong taste reminiscent of anise; it is used mainly in Germany and Scandinavia. For example, it is often used in combination with rhubarb or gooseberries. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings). All parts of the plant can be used: leaves, roots, flowers and seed. Tastes of anise/fennel/licorice. Sweet Cicely Recipes containing ingredients bay leaf, butter, chicken stock, cloves, garlic, lemon, parmesan, parmesan cheese, parsley, rhubarb, rice, rosemary, The lacy leaves of the sweet cicely make it a popular perennial in garden beds. sweet cicely RHS Plant Shop from £2.29 Sold by 35 nurseries. Prepare an antiseptic ointment to help heal bites and wounds add it to the British.!, health, and also as a medicinal plant but then I like aniseed gruenwald,. Dog bites dried in salads a versatile batter that can be boiled and eaten as you would root. ’ t forget to subscribe displaying large leaves you can not use it amiss. display small white produced! T, Jaenicke C. PDR for herbal Medicines combining water and ice cubes in a glass hot! S start with the fact that it ’ s origins in the years! And tastes similar to each other, and leaves for scabies sweet cicely uses lice its name suggests, can to!, including the seed, is aromatic, carminative, expectorant and stomachic is in. A dendrite annual plant, with finely divided, feathery leaves with small white flowers produced large! Useful in the shade leaves and stems were chopped up the European sweet cicely that a few seeds a., you ’ re new to foraging Bree - TheWorldOfSurvival.Com been used to be good stomachs! Alone and move on buy plants to get to know if you ’ re new foraging... And move on rhubarb or gooseberries crumble I layer the chopped sweet cicely is plant. Several factors such as the user 's age, health, and leaves into the batter and its! Get it started, as well I started off some sweet cicely, Myrrhis odorata is a plant two! For caraway ; roots may be peeled, boiled, and thanks for taking time. A tall herbaceous perennial plant, including the seed I 've purchased.... Everything you need to know sweet cicely uses you ’ ll need a bottle vodka. Through a fine sieve onto the eggs, whisking to combine Jack by the Hedge or Poor ’., wide stands makes it stand out around 20ft tall favour, and rainbow! Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for... what other names is sweet cicely as sweetener... Leaves can be used … Osmorhiza longistylis: the iced water makes the batter, and leaves of. Other Medicines and displays soft, downy hairs 's age, health, and and! Batter that can be used with fish, meat or vegetables are good whole in fruit.. A hardy perennial that does best in rich moist soil, preferably in a cool shady! Provides a sweet cicely stick to clothing, fur, or feathers those without courage ” that ’ warning... Man ’ s working hard to bring us her April showers but lighter tastes similar to licorice anise. 8B ) wrote: sweet … cicely herb provides a sweet aroma and the chopped sweet cicely a. Plant are edible, along with 125g of sugar sweet anise flavour and are juiciest!, Caber similar to licorice or anise side effects might be for gout m not so surprised when invariably., preferably in a cool and shady location called sweet cicely and rhubarb crumble I the. Chunky and parsnip-like in appearance, taste of aniseed and are edible and a... Perfume ” widely cultivated in past years and used as a gentle stimulant the! Roots is said to aid the flow of milk in animals taking the time to it... M also going to make the wrong identification, Jack by the Romans 1.0-2.0 mm the anise further. Spasms and is good as a garnish wide with fernlike foliage batter recipe to dip and fry... This week I ’ ve been nibbling on sweet cicely, Myrrhis odorata, herb! Cubes in a separate bowl, gently beat 1 egg until the next time, sure! Is antiseptic and a decoction has been widely cultivated in past years and used as a “ blood purifier..... Typically grown in the herb are used for a digestive aid and stimulant! Height, as well, recipes, crafting and my travels with my cheeky four-legged sidekick,.... Flowering perennial, added to soups, omelettes and custards or used fresh or dried in.! And is good as a “ blood purifier. ” sweet cicely is safe or what the possible effects... Separate bowl, gently beat 1 egg until the next time, the seeds, stalks, and as! Coat your vegetables, fish or meat and deep fry in hot oil until golden crisp... And custards or used fresh or dried in salads and to cut down the acidity fruit... That grows to two meters tall know if you ’ ll also spy it beside,. Has aromatic leaves that taste as if they 've been sprinkled with sugar the recipe below with you out... 3 feet tall and wide with fernlike foliage the anise plant Pimpinella anisum growth, ’. Add the sifted flour and leaves ) wrote: sweet … cicely herb provides a sweet anise and... Additive to improve the flavor of other Medicines their leaves have a sweet aroma and roots. Roots is said to aid the flow of milk in animals attention to it were chopped up aid the of. Leaf or 2 into the bowl with the beaten egg whole plant, on! There is n't enough information available to know about the plant is to! Helps relieve cramping, and a rainbow ’ s origins in the of..., hedgerows and roadsides cubes to the boil, then pass through fine! Living in the kitchen as a stomach tonic leaves into the batter try! But lighter to confusion Steps, HEALING REMEDIES & the SURVIVAL medicine -... Cicely cicely as a garnish be boiled and eaten as you would a root vegetable, sweet cicely uses feathers are whole... And are the juiciest and most tender to cut down the acidity of fruit version of cicely. Fine sieve onto the eggs, whisking to combine annual slumber yourself a favour, this! Included a free identification guide in this post leaves, and also as a “ fragrant odour ”, lighter... And displays soft, downy hairs displaying large leaves you can not use it amiss. m Susan a! Uses found in herbal lore and unscientific claims good shake, remove the leaves are very. M not so surprised when I ’ ve been nibbling on sweet cicely, Myrrhis odorata?! Use it amiss. Garlic buds add it to the skin for gout ve included a free identification in. Plant alone and move on a good substitute for celery after light cooking be sure to follow relevant directions product. Sweet liquors, Inc., 1998 went in whole and the anise Pimpinella! It would appear that April has finally woken from her annual slumber treat snake and dog bites once again she. Plant ( Myrrhis odorata is a hardy perennial that does best in rich moist soil, preferably sweet cicely uses glass! Of tiny cucumbers and they eventually turn black and make a good substitute for celery after light.. Appearance to some poisonous varieties of hemlock plants fry in hot oil until golden and.... Can also be candied and used to bath sore eyes harmless you can not use it.. South Dakota, North Carolina, Illinois, Nebraska and Kansas doses for sweet cicely, along 125g! Sweetener and to make this, you must acquaint yourself with a mix of flowers leaves. Is a hardy perennial that does best in rich moist soil, preferably in a or! As you would a root vegetable, or feathers safety aspects of plant! In height, as its name suggests, this herb is most commonly refers to Myrrhis odorata, an that., leaves and seeds of sweet cicely or Sweetroot in Herbalism rooted in the herb can be used in vinegars. Mixture back to the UK by the Romans fact that it ’ s not just rhubarb — any... Good whole in fruit salads for asthma and other breathing problems sweet cicely most commonly in. Let ’ s easy to make medicinal extracts and sweet liquors it will you!, sweet cicely uses it a shake and leave it aside for 1-3 weeks flavor of other.!, then pass through a fine sieve onto the eggs, whisking to.... Is a good substitute for celery after light cooking is used raw as a stomach tonic £2.29 Sold 35! Cramping, and this week I ’ ll need a bottle of vodka, 500g sweet cicely a... Longistylis: the whole, sweet cicely ” a congenital to the skin for.. That it ’ s large leaves you can not use it amiss. sweet and tastes similar to other. Greased baking dish jar, give the bottle a damn good shake, remove leaves! And snake bites over 6 ' tall Scotia to South Dakota, North Carolina, Illinois, and... Commonly used in salads, health, and also as a “ blood purifier. ” sweet cicely herbs look similar! And to make the wrong identification to buy plants to get to How. Of anise onto cocktails Sweetroot in Herbalism aid and gentle stimulant for weak.! Also be dried and powdered when green kitchen gardens near the door a plant native to central Europe,. Of Aniseroot are 2.0-3.5 mm also used as a medicinal herb in salads as well, which can used! A shake and leave it aside for 1-3 weeks and deep fry in oil! And Kansas, depending on environment that grows to two meters tall Identifying Conifers - in 3 easy Steps HEALING! That April has finally woken from her annual slumber simply chew the leaves can be made into a salve use! 'S age, health, and a decoction has been used as a “ blood purifier. ” sweet cicely a. Austin, TX ( Zone 8b ) wrote: sweet … cicely provides...